Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

When I think about holiday food, I always crave these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. My mom used to make appetizer every year for a Christmas work party. She would whip up a second dish for us to eat at home.

Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

I’d like to thank Kikkoman for sponsoring this post.

Since I loved eating bacon-wrapped water chestnuts as a kid, I was sure to swipe my mom’s recipe when I got older.

I did make one important change to this recipe. I add soy sauce to the dish.

Marinating the water chestnuts in soy sauce adds so much flavor.

RELATED: Looking for a great game day appetizer? Try my delicious sausage stuffed mini sweet peppers!

I recommend using Kikkoman Soy Sauce for this recipe. It’s simply the best!

Kikkoman’s Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce is a major flavor enhancer and brings out the “umami” taste that everyone has been talking about.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

After you marinate your water chestnuts, don’t throw out that soy sauce! You’ll be utilizing the marinade to create a truly delicious finishing sauce for the dish.

Quick tip—if you’re wanting to cut down on the sodium, try Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce—it also tastes great.

There are a few steps involved in making these scrumptious bacon wrapped water chestnuts.

They are really quite easy to make, and in my experience, are always a total crowd-pleaser!

I can’t keep my husband away from these things!

After you pop one of these sweet, tangy and crunchy little bites into your mouth, it’s difficult to stop reaching for more.

People will quite literally hover and linger around the dish holding these bad boys, and who can blame them? They are my absolute favorite holiday appetizer.

I can’t remember celebrating a Christmas without a big warm dish of bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. It’s a recipe that I genuinely adore, and I hope you’ll make it a part of your unique holiday celebrations this year as well.

Be sure to pin this recipe so you can easily find it later!

Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz.) cans water chestnuts, drained
• 2 (8 oz.) cans water chestnuts, drained
• 1 lb lean bacon, cut in half 
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup Kikkoman Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce
• Toothpicks

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Soak water chestnuts in Kikkoman soy sauce for 15 minutes, stirring a few times to make sure they are fully coated.
3. Remove water chestnuts from soy sauce.
4. Wrap 1/2 strip of bacon around each; secure with toothpicks.
5. Reserve soy sauce.
6. Place chestnuts toothpick side up in a 7” x 11” glass baking dish.
7. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 35 minutes or until desired crispness.
8. Remove chestnuts from dish and drain grease. Replace chestnuts in the same dish.
9. Meanwhile, add ketchup and brown sugar to reserved soy sauce, stir well to combine.
10. Pour sauce evenly over the chestnuts to coat.
11. Bake chestnuts an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

Notes

Initial bake time really depends on how you enjoy your bacon. Keep an eye on it and bake a little longer if you want it crispier!

More Delicious Appetizers

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